London Business School - Student View

A Nash terrace overlooking Regent's Park lake; an elegant facade hiding very well-equipped lecture theatres, computer rooms - and supposedly the best business library and IT facilities in Europe. No on-campus student housing. A subsidised restaurant and cafeteria.

LBS is fun but incredibly demanding - not for the faint-hearted. Students typically put in 80-90 hour weeks during the first year; weekends and evenings off are rare! The top European business school (Financial Times): both students and faculty totally motivated and committed, with a strong career ethos among students. High percentage of women (26%) students and very international (80% of students come from 60 different countries in class of 2004). International focus in curriculum, as well as in various projects and field visits.

An international exchange programme allows students to spend a term in another top business school (in Europe, Asia, North and South America). Average graduating salary - £50,000 plus, although they will swear that is not why they are here! Average age of entrants is 29.

An exclusive, multi-layer admissions procedure with tough entry requirements, including average of 3-4 years' professional experience (staged admissions process - apply early - places are quickly filled). Low drop-out rate and few overall failures. Part-timers on MBA programme are usually sponsored and take two years to complete course. Great emphasis on high quality of teaching and research; most staff have experience in business schools abroad and consulting links with industry/commerce. Students are very vocal if they are not getting value for time or money; students formally assess lecturers each term. Almost everyone is there to work hard - not for fun.

Football, rugby, aerobics and squash are popular and there's a lot of jogging and boating around Regent's Park; gymnasium on site.

Careers clubs (such as finance, entrepreneurs, women in business and consultancy) are well attended; students can mix freely with guest speakers, generally senior business figures (eg Michael Dell, Bill Gates).

Students' association non-political, purely administrative and social. 3 or 4 large events per term, well attended, especially the unforgettable summer ball!